Over the past couple of years, the WEC has become one of the most popular MMA promotions on earth. That's because the organization focuses on smaller weight clases (155 pounds and under) and always produces exciting, fast paced cards. WEC 51 was no exception to that rule and the action coming from Broomfield, CO on Thursday night was vintage WEC. If you missed any of the fights, continue reading for full results and analysis of the main card.
Mark Hominick defeated Leonard Garcia by split decision. I kind of expected Hominick to win this fight, but I went with Garcia in my predictions article, because I can't help but have a soft spot for the guy. He's all heart and effort and throws everything he has into every punch and kick. I assumed that Hominick would try to take the fight to the ground, because that's where he might have an advantage, but Garcia's dangerous from the top, so it was a matter of who got the position they wanted. That actually didn't matter in the first round, as they stood the entire time. Both fighters landed some nice strikes, but they came out even more aggressive in the second. Garcia started to slow down and I felt like Hominick started taking over toward the end of the round. It kind of went the same in the third. Garcia came out hard, but quickly slowed his pace. Hominick looked much fresher and was more accurate with his strikes. Garcia was giving it everything he had, but I had Hominick winning the last two rounds. With that win, Hominick could have put himself within a fight or two of a title shot.
George Roop KO'd Chan Sung Jung in the second round. Jung built an American fan base with his effort against Leonard Garcia in his first WEC appearance. The "Korean Zombie" went blow for blow with Garcia and was looking to get in the win column against Roop. Things were going well and it was a nice fight through the first round. Jung looked like he was warming up even more in the second when Roop landed a huge left kick. It landed like an uppercut, right under Jung's jaw. The Zombie was out before he hit the ground.
Miguel Torres submitted Charlie Valencia with a rear naked choke in the second round. With Valencia being more of a ground fighter, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for Torres to get back on track with a win. Valencia is definitely a legitimate threat, but up until his last two fights, Torres was considered nearly invincible. Torres looked pretty good in the first round. He was able to measure the range and keep Valencia out side of it while landing strikes of his own. Torres unloaded with a great combination in the second round and dropped Valencia. His ground attack was relentless and he got Valencia's back. With the body triangle locked in place, it was only a matter of moments before Torres sunk the fight ending rear naked choke.
Donald Cerrone defeated Jamie Varner by unanimous decision. Since I'm completely sick of this rivalry, I was really hoping for a definitive, dominant victory. My preference was for Cerrone, of course that would just open the door for a rubber match. As unlikable as Varner is, his skills are admirable and I actually predicted another victory for him. Cerrone started like a house on fire and quickly rocked Varner with a big shot. Varner recovered, though and they kept at it. Cerrone got a couple of take downs and sprawled much more effectively than he has in the past. Varner's hands were sharp, though, and you could tell that he was still very much in the fight. Cerrone got another nice take down in the second round, then passed Varner's guard into side control. Varner got up, though, and on they fought. Cerrone was having a lot of success with a left-hook-right-kick combination. It looked to me like the kicks were taking a toll on Varner's left leg as they entered the final round. Varner came on a little bit and was moving forward more, landing more power strikes. But Cerrone took him down again! Varner wa on the wrong end of elbows from the top and was bleeding all over the place. There was no question that Cerrone carried the score cards and I'm going to have to eat some crow here. Forget what I said about being sick of this rivalry. This fight was even better than the first one between the two and I'll gladly watch a rubber match.
Jose Aldo TKO'd Manny Gamburyan in the second round. Not to take anything away from Gamburyan, who has really turned things around since joining the WEC and dropping to featherweight, but could you really imagine him being the one to finally defeat Aldo? Me either. Aldo has simply been too dominant and he's made guys with much bigger names than Gamburyan look silly. Both fighters started patiently. Gamburyan looked quick and sharp, but Aldo seemed very confident and showed a little of the kicks and knees that he's famous for. In the second round, Aldo started using a right uppercut to get underneath Gamburyan's defense. He tagged him with one and Gamburyan dropped. Aldo went right in for the kill and finished him quickly with strikes on the ground.
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